Tuesday, December 31, 2013

It's New Year's Eve. Time to celebrate the dawn of a new year that will hopefully bring good times and good music for all of us, regardless of how good or bad this past year has been. 2013 has been quite kind to Black Metal & Brews, with my visitor count finally passing the 50,000 mark earlier this month and with many great bands and labels making contact. With so many great albums I heard this year, perusing the lists of other competent writers and trusted musical resources, I see so much great looking stuff that I need to check out. While this list is by no means comprehensive, these 40 albums impressed themselves upon me in one way or another. I'm sure I missed a lot of great stuff that you guys know about, and I'm sure I'll even end up kicking myself for overlooking gems that I heard along the way and forgot while trying to write this list. Please feel free to leave your notes on great tunes I missed or anything you disagree with. I'm nothing without the input of my audience, after all.

Anyway, thanks for an incredible year guys. I'm raising a glass to this blog's success tonight and I hope you'll join me in listening to some of the best tunes of the year to celebrate an incredible year of metal and beer. While writing this post, I'm consuming a delicious bottle of Shmaltz Brewing's He'Brew Jewbelation Reborn. It's got seventeen percent alcohol by volume, paired with seventeen hops and seventeen malts to celebrate their seventeenth anniversary as a brewery. Slightly gimmicky, slightly sweet, and a little bit bitter, almost exactly like the whole ritual of making a year end list. If nothing else, it's potent enough to kick me straight into next year.Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical)Arbre- "II" (my review)Blood of the Moon- "MMXII" (my review)Cloud Rat- "Moksha"Echtra- "Sky Burial" (my review)Empty Suits- "Empty Suits" (my review)Fell Voices- "Regnum Saturni" (my review)Jungbluth- "Part Ache"Kjaddai/Vooram/Njiqahdda- "Split"Lustre- "Wonder"Lycus- "Tempest"Oranssi Pazuzu- "Valonielu"Situs Magus- "Le Grand Oeuvre"Urzeit- "Urzeit"Vanyar- "Triumph of Vanishing"Wormlust- "The Feral Wisdom"

24. Vlk- "Unknown Totems" (Self-Released)
This brief CD release from a relatively unknown band was more impressive than half of the music I heard from established acts this year. This album was a stellar first effort and has been one of my most heavily played albums of the year. Read my review here.Unknown Totems by Vlk

22. Raspberry Bulbs- "Deformed Worship" (Blackest Ever Black/Personnel)
In many ways, 2013 has been the year of the "grower." Many albums I had anticipated for a long time didn't fill the place I had imagined they would. Instead, most of these albums turned out to be just as great as I would have expected, but in different ways. Shedding some of the more overtly "blackened" aesthetics in favor of a disjointed post-punk inspired approach, Raspberry Bulbs' first album as a full band surprised and impressed me with its rabid approach. While it wasn't the black punk beast I had expected, it turned out to be so much more.

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21. Vulture Industries- "The Tower" (Season of Mist)
Vulture Industries have made a name for themselves with their truly unique take on heavy metal. While I really hate the term "progressive," as it does little to really explain the music within, these guys get the term thrown at them frequently. This album branches into more elements of rock than prior efforts, which turns out to be quite appropriate for these guys. With a sound that is equal parts Arcturus, Nick Cave, and Faith No More, "The Tower" surpassed my expectations of this already captivating band.<a href="http://vultureindustries.bandcamp.com/album/the-tower">The Tower by Vulture Industries</a>

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20. Leucosis- "Leucosis" (Self-Released)
When Leucosis decided to make this monstrously heavy black metal cassette in an edition of only 30 copies, they were either selling themselves short or trying to create something for collectors to squabble over. Whatever their goal may have been, they released one of the heaviest, most impressive albums of the year. Truly crushing black doom that I feel quite fortunate to have in my collection.

19. Fyrnask- "Eldir Nott" (Temple of Torturous)
This album is probably one of the most beautiful black metal albums released all year and was possibly the only release to recreate the thrill I felt when I first discovered some of the genre's classics in my more formative years. Read my review here.<a href="http://fyrnask.bandcamp.com/album/eldir-n-tt">Eldir Nótt by Fyrnask</a>

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18. CAPA- "This is the Dead Land, This is Cactus Land" (Self-Released)
While this hasn't yet seen a physical release, this album serves as a proper ending to CAPA's conceptual trilogy, with songs that feel every bit as weathered and heavily traveled as the album's lyrical plot would have you believe. Read my review here.

<a href="http://capa.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-the-dead-land-this-is-cactus-land">This is the Dead Land This is Cactus Land by CAPA</a>

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17. Xothist- "Xothist" (Fallen Empire)
The claustrophobic, mechanical horror created here on Xothist's full-length LP technically was not brand new in 2013, but due to its highly limited initial release, I'm considering this as the first opportunity most of us had to hear this brilliance. Enter at your own risk. Read my review here.<a href="http://bandcamp.fallenempirerecords.com/album/xothist">Xothist by Xothist</a>

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16. Paramnesia- "Ce Que Dit La Bouche D'Ombre" (Self-Released)
This EP blindsided me. One of the members of this band sent me a message earlier this year and, as I always do when a band contacts me, I gave it at least one fair listen. That one fair listen became an obsession. The album itself sold out long ago, but you should go download it while you prepare for a full-length from this brilliant group. Read my review here.<a href="http://paramnesiaxpa.bandcamp.com/album/ce-que-dit-la-bouche-dombre">CE QUE DIT LA BOUCHE D&#39;OMBRE by PARAMNESIA</a>

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15. Ramlord- "Crippled Minds, Sundered Wisdom" (Hypaethral)
These northern crushers have long been beloved here on BM&B, so it was no surprise that this year's full-length was impressive. This is easily the best crust album I came across all year, if that's even an appropriate term for Ramlord's self-described "stenchcore." Read my review here.&lt;a href="http://ramlord.bandcamp.com/album/crippled-minds-sundered-wisdom"&gt;Crippled Minds, Sundered Wisdom by RAMLORD&lt;/a&gt;

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14. Ephemer- "Notre Honneur Immortel" (Spectre Sinistre)
This tape (along with a certain LP I'll be mentioning shortly) forced me to put this list on hold until the very end of the year. I've only had a listen five or six times now, but man am I ever blown away. If you enjoyed anything you heard on the first Ephemer release, this brief yet brilliant black metal assault will burrow its way deep into your heart. Had this come out earlier in the year, I'd probably have listened more and placed this even higher. Seriously though, this album is just about perfect.

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13. Paysage d'Hiver- "Das Tor" (Kunsthall Produktionen)
The word "dense" comes up often in my reviews. Perhaps my lack of experience producing or recording music is the reason. Or maybe it's because I'm drawn to thick sounds that could fill a room. Regardless of rationale, "Das Tor" is one of the densest black metal albums of the year, conjuring images of blizzards and mountains in my mind. Four songs clock in around seventy-five minutes, so get ready to sit with this one like you're surviving a storm. It will be your sole source of comfort.

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12. Recluse- "Recluse" (Graceless)
This vicious demo from Recluse caught me off guard. What seems to be the culmination of a friendship and shared love of Judas Iscariot has led to the birth of this duo, comprised of Cobalt's McSorley and Loss's Meacham. While I've enjoyed the output of each of their more notable projects, this demo is some of the freshest and most defiant black metal I've heard all year. Pure ferocity; take no prisoners. A full-length is currently in the works. I couldn't be more thrilled.&lt;a href="http://gracelessrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/grace007-recluse-self-titled-demo-2013"&gt;Grace007: Recluse - &amp;quot;Self Titled&amp;quot; Demo 2013 by Recluse (USA)&lt;/a&gt;

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11. Lluvia- "Premonicion de Guerra" (Fallen Empire)
This album was among the reasons I waited until the last day of the year to release this list. With so many truly wonderful December releases, I feel like many other sources might have missed this gem and a few others featured on this list. Read my review for more info.&lt;a href="http://bandcamp.fallenempirerecords.com/album/premonicion-de-guerra"&gt;Premonicion De Guerra by Lluvia&lt;/a&gt;

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10. Yellow Eyes- "Hammer of Night" (Sibir Records)
I've followed the career of Yellow Eyes closely, watching them blossom from a trio with a promising demo tape to a four-piece with a respectable degree of attention and a decent following with this, their first LP release. Read my review here.&lt;a href="http://yelloweyes.bandcamp.com/album/hammer-of-night"&gt;Hammer Of Night by Yellow Eyes&lt;/a&gt;

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9. Aosoth- "IV: An Arrow in Heart" (Agonia)
This album was high on my radar right from the start due to the band's history of excellence. This album did nothing to betray their legacy and seems to have garnered even greater attention for them. "IV: An Arrow in Heart" is aggressive, desolate, and impossible to wrap my mind around in all the best ways. Read my review for more info.&lt;a href="http://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/iv-arrow-in-heart"&gt;IV: Arrow in Heart by Aosoth&lt;/a&gt;

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8. Portal- "Vexovoid" (Profound Lore)
I have often found Portal's music difficult to describe to the uninitiated. While some bands create such horrific sounds in a chaotic fashion, Portal always delivers a very methodical, controlled approach. While many bands attempt to recreate the flurries of notes or half-rasped, half-barked vocal style, these guys have always had the delicate precision of true professionals. With "Vexovoid," Portal's trademark sound has evolved into something nebulous and slightly more nuanced, without losing its classic ominous feeling. While this album initially felt like more of the same, a listen on a good sound system or with headphones in really yields elements of bleak noise and terrifying ambiance. If the sound isn't intense enough, I'll leave the only music video worth watching from 2013 below for your enjoyment.

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7. Aurvandil- "Thrones" (Psychic Violence/Eisenwald)
This one came as something of a late contender in my year, but instantly impressed me in a way few other tapes have done this year. A galloping and brilliant offering of black metal from this project that totally took me to another place as a listener. It's rare for a band I've never heard of to just come in and impress me in such a fashion, but that's exactly what happened here. Grab this tape while it's still available. It should have already sold out by now. If you miss the tape, look out for Eisenwald's vinyl release in early 2014.&lt;a href="http://eisenwald.bandcamp.com/album/thrones"&gt;Thrones by AURVANDIL&lt;/a&gt;

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6. Morthylla- "Morthylla" (Schattenkult Produktionen)
This is probably the highest ranked release on this list that didn't get the widespread love it truly deserved. This violent and beautiful debut offering from Morthylla not only contained some of the most enjoyable black metal of the year, it also came in a gorgeous, super limited edition box directly from the artist. While that's long sold out, even the standard cassette available from the label is beautifully designed. Read my review for more information.&lt;a href="http://morthylla.bandcamp.com/album/morthylla"&gt;Morthylla by Morthylla&lt;/a&gt;

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5. The Ruins of Beverast- "Blood Vaults" (Van Records)
I'll admit that my love for The Ruins of Beverast can sometimes tread into near-obsessive territory. With a catalog of almost consistent perfection, it's really hard to fault this project, which is a full live band for the first time with "Blood Vaults." Still, my first listen left me baffled. There is a clarity on this record that really threw me for a loop. There have always been cleaner passages in The Ruins of Beverast's music, but the trudging beauty displayed on this album really shocked me. I was not pleased. Still, morbid curiosity and serious love forced me to listen again, and slowly the picture became clearer. This album is not intended to showcase the hazy ferocity of "Unlock the Shrine," nor the bleak violence of "Rain Upon the Impure." Instead, "Blood Vaults" stands alone as a monolithic slab of excellent metal that is neither black metal nor funeral doom, yet borrows heavily from each. This process yields something unique and wonderful. First time listeners may be confused, but I urge you to give this behemoth a fair listen. It will likely surprise you just as it surprised me.

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4. A Pregnant Light- "Stars Will Fall" & "Domination Harmony" (Colloquial Sound Recordings)
A Pregnant Light continued to dominate my playlists this year with a couple of solid releases. This project of the man identified only as Deathless Maranatha was slightly less prolific this year, possibly due to commitments with other projects such as electronic powerhouse Bodystocking (which graced my electronic/noise list). What Deathless Maranatha lacked in quantity has truly been made up for with quality. These two brief cassettes showcase a sense of harmony that was hinted at on prior offerings, yet was not fully realized to the degree presented here. A Pregnant Light's roots in hardcore punk have always been made clear to the listener, but on these tapes, especially "Stars Will Fall," it seems that all has been laid bare. These two sold out almost immediately, but are both available on the Colloquial Sound bandcamp page.&lt;a href="http://colloquialsoundrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/domination-harmony"&gt;Domination Harmony by A PREGNANT LIGHT&lt;/a&gt;

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3. Dressed in Streams- "The Search for Blood" (Colloquial Sound Recordings)
While it's no surprise that multiple Colloquial Sound releases are gracing my list this year, even I'm a bit surprised that Dressed in Streams has surpassed A Pregnant Light on my list with this monumental cassette. With a far more elegant and full formed approach than their prior releases, "The Search for Blood" shows Dressed in Streams properly merging electronic elements with dense black metal for a more complete sound. If this is the direction in which this project is headed, I can only hope for a full-length release of new material in 2014. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that somebody in the band or label is listening.

&lt;a href="http://colloquialsoundrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-search-for-blood"&gt;The Search For Blood by DRESSED IN STREAMS&lt;/a&gt;

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2. Ash Borer- "Bloodlands" (Gilead Media/Psychic Violence)
While this album was technically an EP, it held within it a vastness and immensity so overpowering in its scope that it feels far more realized than most full-lengths I encountered this year. Read my review here.

1. Cultes Des Ghoules- "Henbane" (Under the Sign of Garazel/Hells Headbangers/Of Crawling Shadows)
I'm not even sure how I can use my words to properly describe the true evil conjured by Cultes Des Ghoules on this year's finest release. "Henbane" is primarily a mid-paced affair, with even the shortest of its five tracks stretching to just around the nine-minute mark. I personally own the cassette edition of this release, which is beautifully assembled with string holding the whole thing together. Some folks have commented that the vocals on this release are relatively off-putting and unpleasant. While I'll admit that the varied groans and howls can take some getting used to, the popularity of bands like Mayhem and Inquisition leads me to believe that strange vocals aren't too much of an obstacle. The guitars are jagged and vicious in all the best ways, and there's actually a heavy presence of low-end here that really rounds out the music. While many musicians seem to take on esoteric beliefs as a sort of posturing, Cultes Des Ghoules have me pretty convinced that they live a life reflected by their music. Easily the strongest album of the year, and I'm happy to share it here.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Brewery: Innis & GunnABV: 7.4%IBUs: Not given
Innis & Gunn has graced this website before with some of its deceptively simple and wonderful beers. Due to the relatively low price and high quality of their standard drinks, they've become a staple in my home. When I saw this one in a store, I grabbed it for my partner, as this brewery is one of our shared favorites and porters are her preferred style.

While this Scottish porter is not at all like the darker, thicker porters we're used to drinking, the sweetness of molasses definitely shows at moments here. Additionally, the body is thinner and lighter in color than your average heavy porter, which makes for an easier drinking experience, but may not impress people looking for dark and heavy beers. The oak aging shows a bit with a light whiskey characteristic on the aftertaste, although I'm not sure if there was whiskey in the barrels before this beer was aged in them.

We enjoyed this slightly sweet and slightly tart beer while watching classic Dark Tranquillity videos. While their music is slightly edgy, the accessibility and harmony of their music pairs nicely with this beer which might impress beer geeks and beer newcomers alike.

Friday, December 27, 2013

I became acquainted Paul from Male Activity earlier this year shortly after I featured his label's first three releases as a collective post. Since that time, Male Activity has released a rather generous amount of music, almost all of which has been featured on this site, with three albums even making my top noise list, including his own project wet nurse. With a label consistently releasing such quality music, I had to know what music really excited the man behind the label in 2013.Honorable Mentions:The Body- "Christs, Redeemers"Carrion Sunflower- "The Romantic Youth of Jesus"Pharmakon- "Abandon" (and just about every other Sacred Bones release)RU-486- "Romanian Abattoirs"The Vomit Arsonist- "An Occasion for Death"+ those Lil Ugly Mane mixtapes

5. Altar of Plagues- "Teethed Glory and Injury" (Profound Lore)Although I don't listen to black metal as often as I used to, this album really caught and held my attention. "Teethed Glory" sees Altar of Plagues embarking on a new direction from the band's previous work, which used to be fairly standard atmospheric black. We now see Altar of Plagues experimenting with electronic timbres and odd metres. The arrangements are still fairly minimal but now depend on subtle variations in repetitive clusters of notes, rather than drawn out post-rockish soundscapes. The vocals are also outstanding, particularly on "Burnt Year," and the production reminds me of Bjork for some reason. An ambitious and impressive album in a genre that is too often stagnant. It's unfortunate that this will be their last.

4. Steel Hook Prostheses- "The Empirics Guild" (Malignant)So this has been a really great year for Malignant Records, and "The Empirics Guild" is certainly a highlight. SHP has always excelled at creating an utterly suffocating climate with their unique brand of dread inducing death industrial. Razor sharp vocals pierce the listener's ears like bone chisels, and churning noise drags you into a world of pure bodily horror. What's always impressed me about SHP, and especially "The Empirics Guild," is the surgical precision to which their work is executed. From the eerie Arvo Part sample it opens with to its brilliantly unsettling finale, the whole record is a relentless and almost cinematic masterpiece.

3. Juicy J- "Stay Trippy" (Kemosabe/Columbia)While not as consistent or commendable as "Blue Dreams" & "Lean," "Stay Trippy" is a fantastic album in its own right. There's an interesting atmosphere that permeates the album, which floats like pot smoke between playful and disturbing. The trap beats sound absolutely criminal and the synth lines are effectively minimal. Unfortunately, "Stay Trippy" is marred by a couple of crappy pop songs and painfully stupid lyrics (which are at best hilarious, at worst cringe inducing), but you'd be hard-pressed to find a mainstream rap album that isn't these days. Choice cuts include "Smoke a Nigga" and "SoMuch Money."

2. Human Larvae- "Womb Worship" (L. White)Another death industrial project which I'm absolutely enthusiastic about, and another album dealing with apparent themes of motherhood and birth. Been waiting years for a full length follow up to Human Larvae's magnificent debut album and boy, does "Womb Worship" ever deliver. This is an absolutely terrifying album on every fucking level. Each track will leave you petrified, spellbound, and in a state of total infantile helplessness. Soundtrack to your late miscarriage.

1.Theologian- "Some Things Have to Be Endured" (Crucial Blast)The trajectory Lee has defined with his musical outlets is a very interesting one. His oeuvre manages to transverse a variety of industrial/electronic genres, as well as the darkest corridors of human consciousness. This album feels like a culmination of sorts. It's certainly bleak, but far less abrasive than previous releases, in part due to the warmly provided vocals from a number of female guests and an almost darkwave vibe at times. "Some Things Have to Be Endured" has to be heard to be believed. A truly remarkable piece of work.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Hey readers, welcome to the second of my posts rounding up the most exciting and enjoyable releases of 2013. This is another catch-all type post, but instead of focusing on things that wouldn't normally appear on my website, this entry is a journey through all of the strange, potentially unclassifiable releases that have graced my ears over the course of the past year. I was initially considering making a list for harsher forms of sonic experimentation and a separate list for mellower stuff or things with roots in other genres, but I realized that I'd be in far too deep if I made a million separate categories, so without further ado, I present the best BM&B approved albums that aren't quite metal, but are entirely worth my readers' time.

25. K11- "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" (Utech)
From horror to bliss and back, "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" is an album that (like many here) can't truly be described with words. It's a series of experiences that weave in and out of each other. From subtle sounds of nature, as if one were actually visiting the ruins of an ancient temple, to roaring tones that evoke images of demonic rituals, this album touches on many different areas of noise and drone, keeping things fresh from start to finish.

<a href="http://utechrecords.bandcamp.com/album/another-temple-to-the-great-beast-666">Another Temple to the Great Beast 666 by K11</a>

Easily some of the most static and turbulent noise I've heard, "Severe Disconnect" is like leaving reality behind in a moment of pure fear. If this group isn't out to directly cause harm to the listener, they're certainly skilled at making me think otherwise. Violence embodied. Don't know how this hasn't sold out yet. Get it while you can.

23. Sunken Cathedral- "Sunken Cathedral" (Black Horizons)
Slow moving, textured drone atmospheres aplenty on this release. It all feels very organic and you can practically feel the moss growing on the ruins of something ancient and sacred. Blissful and mind melting, perhaps both for the same reason.

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22. Trepaneringsritualen- "The Totality of Death" (Malignant Records/Silken Tofu)
As one of the first death industrial projects I ever heard, Trepaneringsritualen has long been a reference point for me when discussing the bleaker side of music. With this two disc set, with each CD being released by a separate label, this project visits new depths that set me on edge in all the ways I needed. It's hard to state how much of an endurance test this release can be at times, but the reward is all the more enjoyable after repeated listens.

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21. Body of Light- "Volonta di Amore" (Chondritic Sound)
Surprisingly beautiful and almost entirely reminiscent of new wave, this tape instantly captured my attention and should do the same for you. My only complaint is that it's far too brief, but as always, that just means it's good for multiple listens in one sitting.

20. Dylan Ettinger/Goldendust- "The Pale Mare/Truth" (DKA Records)
This split 7" is the first release from fledgling label DKA Records and offers one brief yet engaging track from each artist. Ettinger's side features dense beats, seemingly rooted in rap/hip-hop, which are paired with elegant and simple electronic melodies and heavily warped vocals. Goldendust's side contrasts the almost claustrophobic dance vibe of Ettinger with a hazy, mellow ballad that might seem a bit sleepy at first listen, but proves truly addictive over time.

19. Brennendes Gehirn & Dorian Williamson- "Rites of the Aethyr" (Antithetic)
This collaborative release surprised me despite my familiarity with Williamson's primary work in drone duo Northumbria. Traveling from entirely welcoming and comforting bass drones to the vast emptiness of the abandoned remnants of once great cities, this release kept me guessing the whole time, and subsequent listens only reinforced the strengths demonstrated here. I hope these two minds meet to collaborate again. Read my review for greater details.

18. Judas Christ- "American Gulag" (Male Activity)
This one was submitted for review and the name struck me as silly. Then I realized I couldn't stop listening to it. My review should sum up my thoughts on this fantastic offering from this bleak new group.

17. wet nurse.- "Flux Emission" (Male Activity)
Overwhelmingly depressing power electronics with unconventional structures, if there is such a thing as a conventional structure in noise. One of the albums that convinced me that analog purists sometimes miss out on real gems. Read my full review here.

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16. Waves Crashing Piano Chords & Tanner Garza- "de Sade" (Forever Escaping Boredom)
At times terrifying and others merely disconcerting, this collaboration between two competent noise musicians was one of those tapes that REALLY wasn't long enough. With a mere two tracks of collaboration between these individuals that barely makes the eight minute mark, I can only hope that this is a teaser for some sort of horrifying opus rather than a brief melding of minds. Read my full review for further details.

13. Swallowing Bile- "Wojtek" (Sounding Session)
To pick a single Swallowing Bile release and say "this is the one" is hard. This fresh project has already proven to be a powerhouse in the noise and power electronics communities, and "Wojtek" was the first of his albums I obtained this year. It also happened to be the one I've listened to most frequently. It's quite safe to say this is one of the only truly harsh releases I loved enough to include on this list, so if you're curious about more extreme sounds but aren't fully prepared for them, give this tape a listen and see if you're ready.

12. Breathing Problem- "Reactive Attachment Disorder" (Wohrt Records)
Easily one of the most depressing and fluid power electronics releases of the year, "Reactive Attachment Disorder" was an early find for me and has remained as gripping as the first time I listened. While it's hard to recommend this for everybody, brave fans of the genre will find this tape incredibly rewarding. Read my review for full details.

11. Crowhurst- "Memory Loss" (Self-Released)
After reviewing Crowhurst's ominous "Death Van" earlier this year, it was a pleasant surprise to find an even more thrilling release from this nebulous entity. What kind of music does Crowhurst perform? It depends on the release. With roots in noise, Crowhurst seems intent on spreading its horrifying little fingers in every direction. "Memory Loss" is some of the most detached yet focused work I've heard from this project to date. Listen and fall in love.

10. Bodystocking- "Sheer Spidertouch" (Strange Rules)
As with most Strange Rules cassettes, it's rather unlikely this one will surface for purchase at any point in the near future, but I managed to snag a copy with great luck. This rather prolific side project from A Pregnant Light/Colloquial Sound Recordings mastermind is a dense, beautiful industrial endeavor and this (along with many releases on CSR sublabel Locust Leg) has captivated me in a way I may not have initially expected. The motion never stops. The beauty is more than superficial. Keep an eye out for more from Bodystocking, and don't expect it to last long when copies do surface.

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9. Synsophony- "Karmic Existence" (Acephale Winter Productions)
This free digital EP is one of the few releases I was uncertain about placing here rather than in my black metal section. Still, as an absolutely horrifying drone release, this absolutely belongs on this list and is one of the unsung albums of the year that I still can't believe didn't receive more attention. This absolutely deserves to be heard by everybody. Read my review for more information and get ready for a new EP in early 2014.

8. Herukrat- "Anna Karina" (SVN OKKLT)
This tape is harsh noise wall with a purpose. Focused, obsessive, and in control, Herukrat guides the listener perfectly. My friend Tom at Metallic Imagery described this better than I ever could. Download this sold out cassette and lose your mind.

7. Jason Hodge- "Hope Has Abandoned Us" (Enemata)
This heartbreaking, pensive cassette has been a frequent companion over the past year. Jason Hodge has released a few tapes this year, each of which has proven to be truly dynamic in its approach to noise. Like any of his works, this album feels fresh and Hodge's commitment to creating something unique is fulfilled through the course of his work. Read my complete review and grab a copy for yourself.

4. Image of Life- "Weight Loss During Wartime/Walking in the Dark" (Chondritic Sound)
Easily one of the most frequently played 7" records in my collection, this one is two perfect tracks of coldwave brilliance. Whether it's the featured A-side's frantically catchy madness or the plodding gloom of B-side "Walking in the Dark," this one is absolutely amazing. For bonus giggles and enjoyment, slow things down and play it at 33 instead of 45--it gets super dark and totally fun. If only I could find a copy of their full-length cassette, I'd be quite happy.

3. Tollund Men- "Virbius Abstract" (Nostilevo)
While Tollund Men managed to release two excellent tapes this year (possibly three, depending on the timeliness of the impending Total Black tape/shirt combo), it's safe to say that this one received more play in my house than pretty much the entire Tollund Men discography combined. While my very amateur interview with Neal touched on this release to some degree, I never gave it the proper review it deserves. I can't really put a genre to this music, but it's both melodic and uninviting at the same time. There's a heavy layer of distortion and reverb that seems to eat half the sound coming out, which only makes these four songs more intriguing, as multiple listens yield a deeper understanding of the music contained within. I seriously can't get enough of this tape and I imagine I'll be listening to it frequently well into 2014.

2. Crown of Cerberus- "With Arms Extended to the Heavens" (Depravity Label)
Early this year I was almost certain that this would be my top album of the year, and I was almost right. The gorgeous A-side contrasts perfectly with the somewhat startling B-side, making for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I wrote a lot of nice words about this tape over at Hammer Smashed Sound, and you should read them if you aren't convinced that you need this in your life simply by its high placement on this list.

1. Tanner Garza- "Lucid" (Static Reason)
I feel it's almost wrong of me to feature the talented Mr. Garza twice in one list, but I'm doing it out of necessity. In almost direct contrast to the meandering madness of his other release on this list, "Lucid" is one of the warmest, most inviting albums I've had the pleasure of hearing all year. There are so many things I could say about this tape, but I've already said them on Hammer Smashed Sound, and I need not ramble any longer on this huge post.